Policy Submissions

We made the following recommendations:

That the NDIS develop a home and living options consultation that specifically addresses the needs of First People with disability,in consultation with First People with disability.

• That the NDIS integrate the housing outcomes and targets of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and Australia’s DisabilityStrategy in developing all future housing policies and frameworks.
• That the separation of housing and supports is mandated in the development of this new policy
• That First people with disability and families are provided culturally appropriate independent advocacy and support to make housing choices
• That the NDIS progress their work on thin markets that includes how to ensure that First People with disability can access the NDIS supports they need, including SDA and SIL.
• That the NDIS clarify how the flexible and fixed budget categories will work absent the personalised budget tool reform.

We recommended:

• That the NDIS urgently co-design a SDM framework forFirst People with disability, with First People with disability

• That the NDIS SDM policy assumes people with disability have capacity as a starting point.

• That the NDIS incorporate the Australian Law ReformCommission report recommendations into their SDM policy.

• That the NDIS SDM framework explicitly rules out any role for disability service providers as substitute-decision makers for any person with disability they support

• That the NDIS SDM framework discusses state and territory guardianship schemes and works to create a coordinated supported-decision making framework in all jurisdictions.

• That peer support for decision making is considered as part of the SDM Framework

• That the NDES include a specific priority for reducing barriers to employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability.
• That the NDES includes measurable targets and outcomes that are reported on by the Australian Government regularly.
• That the NDES coordinate with other appropriate strategies, including Closing the Gap.
• That the NDES includes recognition of the impact of intersectional discrimination as a key barrier for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability when accessing employment
• That action is taken to address the Sklavos decision and the implications for the DDA
• That reform is undertaken to address the need for remedy for intersectional discrimination
• That further legal and advocacy support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability is made availableto take action against discrimination at work
• That the NDES include education issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people with disability as part of the priority for all young people with disability.
• That the NDES coordinate with the education targets and outcomes in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
• That an Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander disability-led and controlled individual advocacy service be funded, with specific advocates to navigate employment
• That an Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander disability-led and controlled disability services and workforce strategy be developed,in line with the National Agreement on Closing The Gap and other relevant strategies and frameworks
• The National Disability Employment strategy aligns with the outcomes and targets in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, particularly Outcomes 5, 7 and 8.
• That the upcoming new National Disability Strategy aligns with relevant Closing the Gap targets and outcomes on employment
• That the upcoming new National Disability Strategy contains explicit priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople with disability.
• That the Australian Government plan to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability is updated to include Closing the Gap outcomes and targets
• That Area of Focus 4 from AustralianGovernment plan to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability is incorporated into NDES
• That priority reform area 1 in the NDES consultation paper is amended to refocus on retention of people with disability in the workforce, not just entry.
• That current funding for DES be diverted to new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability specific services to engage in culturally appropriate employment, in line with the Closing the Gap targets.
• That NDIS employment supports prioritises open employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability
• That a transition plan to mainstream employment is developed for all current employees of ADEs that includes the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability.
• National, state and territory government procurement must not include Australian Disability Enterprises or any other supported employment. Instead, procurement must include positive incentives for employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, including people with intellectual and cognitive disability.
• Increase incentives to employment that don’t threaten ongoing eligibility to the DSP for Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people with disability

We made these recommendations:

• That a wide ranging review of income levels and cost of living for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability is conducted.

• That barriers to accessing the DSP are reduced including more information and outreach, support, faster application timeframes, exemptions from JobSeeker requirements while waiting, abolishing the program of support, and current impairment table system.

• That measures to address the structural and intersectional contributions to poverty in coordination with the Closing the Gap targets, and the National Disability Employment Strategy.

• That more investment is made in Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander controlled and run individual disability advocacy services.